Prevalence and associated factors of stunting among under-five children in Ethiopia: Application of marginal models analysis of 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data

BACKGROUND: Stunting, short for age, affects the overall growth and development of the children. It occurs due to chronic under nutrition. Stunting vastly occurs in impoverished regions of the world, including Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of stunting among under-five children in Ethiopia using marginal models. METHODS: Data were taken from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey, which is a nationally representative survey of children in the 0–59 month age group. For marginal models, generalized estimating equations and alternating logistic regression models were used for the analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of stunting among the under-five children was 34.91% in the area. The proportion was slightly higher among male (36.01%) than female (33.76%) child. The Alternating Logistic Regression model analysis revealed that the child’s age, the mother’s education level, the mother’s body mass index, the place of residence, the wealth index, and the previous birth interval were found to be significant determinants of childhood stunting, and the result shows that children born with a lower previous birth interval (less than 24 months) were more likely to be stunted than those born within a higher birth interval. Children in rural Ethiopia were more likely to be stunted than children in urban Ethiopia. CONCLUSION: This study found that more than one third of children were stunted in the area. The study also determined that child’s age, the mother’s education, the mother’s body mass index, the place of residence, the wealth index, and birth interval influence stunting. Therefore, it is better enhancing the nutritional intervention programs.